Kashmiris basic party to dispute: Secretary General Iyad Abdullah

Muzaffarabad, Aug 5: Expressing unequivocal support for the right to self-determination of Kashmiri people, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Iyad Abdullah Ameen Madni on Tuesday underlined the need of a political solution to the issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.He regretted that while India supported the right to self-determination for Crimea, it had closed its eyes to a similar demand in Jammu and Kashmir.Speaking at a reception hosted by the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) government in Kashmir House, Islamabad, Madni emphatically stated that Kashmiris were the basic party to Kashmir dispute and they should be given right to decide their fate in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.“The OIC has always supported and will continue to support the right to self determination of Kashmiri people. We are in contact with non-member countries as well to garner maximum support for the cause of Kashmiris,” he said.He called upon India to respect human rights in Kashmir as a responsible member of the comity of nations and grant Kashmiris right to self-determination the way it advocated the same for others.Expressing gratitude to the PaK government and people for extending warm reception to him, he recalled that the OIC foreign ministers had also reaffirmed their support to the right to self-determination of Kashmiris in its previous meeting.“It’s our commitment to support the cause of Kashmiris ceaselessly and that commitment will not wane until they achieve their right,” he added.Pointing out that Kashmir was still a pending issue on the UN agenda, Madni underscored the need of a continuous political process and effective efforts to keep it alive and ultimately get it resolved.“We want political solution to Kashmir issue by supporting a political process in the region so that this dispute comes to an end,” he said.The OIC secretary general expressed the hope that India would initiate political process on Kashmir and leadership of both countries would advance it for the settlement of lingering issue.Referring to the likely India-Pakistan foreign ministers’ meet, he hoped that Kashmir issue would figure in their agenda.He said Islamic Development Bank and International Solidarity Fund were ready to address the economic needs of the state of Jammu and Kashmir so as to strengthen institutions in the region and subsequently benefit the Kashmiris.Speaking on the occasion, PaK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan thanked the OIC for constantly supporting Kashmir cause and expressed the hope that the forum would play an effective role for resolution of the problems of entire Muslim Ummah.In his speech, Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed said the OIC secretary general’s visit was a reflection of his commitment and solidarity with Kashmir cause.“Kashmiris rightly believe that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom,” he said.He said unresolved Kashmir issue was a hurdle to normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan.“Pakistan and India cannot live in peace unless they resolve Kashmir issue in accordance with the UN resolutions and wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris,” he said.He also drew the attention of his guest towards what he called flagrant human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces.“Without demilitarisation in Jammu and Kashmir, confidence building measures (CBMs) cannot yield any tangible result,” he said.He made it clear that peace building should not be at the cost of justice and right to self-determination of Kashmiris.“This has to be clearly understood by India and all else,” he said.Earlier the OIC secretary general was also given separate briefings on issues of earthquake-affected areas as well as the areas affected by cross border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).

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